Healthy glowing skin is a depiction of what kind of food you eat because what you eat is what shows on the outside. The work stress, alongwith the hot and humid weather, among the young is the simplest way to burst into acne and pimples. To add to it, wrong eating habits like over-indulgence in fried, sweet, oily and greasy foods like pizzas, burgers etc., lack of drinking water, lack of adequate sleep, being under the sun for long hours etc. are all factors that aggravate skin problems.

Foods with certain nutrients can help to overcome this problem and keep your skin radiantly glowing:

Vitamin A-rich foods: Like carrots, mangoes, pumpkins, papaya, tomatoes, watermelons, spinach, lettuce etc. are together, a great source of beta-carotene which gets converted to active Vitamin A in the body; it is a skin-saving nutrient. It maintains healthy skin and repairs skin cells. It also protects the skin from sunlight damage.

Vitamin C-rich foods: Like amla, guava, oranges, sweet lime, bell peppers, kiwi etc., act as antioxidants by neutralizing skin damaging molecules called free radicals. It helps in collagen production which slows down the skin ageing process as well as the sagging and wrinkling of the skin.

Vitamin E-rich foods: Like almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, peanuts etc., act as skin shields by protecting the skin from damage of UV rays. It also prevents premature ageing of skin and gives it a nice supple feel.

Omega-3 foods: Fish (for non-vegetarians), flaxseeds, walnuts, soyabean oil etc., take part in skin repair and help build flexible skin membranes which retain skin moisture.

Protein-rich foods: Like chicken, eggs, fish, milk, curds, sprouts etc., are responsible for the wear and tear of skin cells, keeping the skin texture tight and preventing loose skin.

Zinc-rich foods: Like grains, legumes, mushrooms, spinach, sesame seeds, chicken, pumpkin seeds, nuts etc., help in healing skin wounds and reduce inflammation.

So remember to always keep your skin in mint condition and eat wisely.